1.1 Defining feminism and its waves
4 min read•august 7, 2024
champions equality between sexes, challenging societal norms that limit women's opportunities. It fights discrimination, violence, and patriarchal systems while promoting equal rights in education, work, and personal life. Feminism has evolved through several waves, each addressing different aspects of gender inequality.
The movement began with suffrage and legal rights, then expanded to workplace issues and sexuality. Modern feminism embraces diversity, , and technology-driven activism. Throughout its history, feminism has reshaped societal views on gender roles and women's place in the world.
Defining Feminism
Core Principles of Feminism
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- Feminism advocates for political, economic, personal, and social equality of sexes
- Seeks to establish equal opportunities for women in education and employment
- Campaigns against gender-based discrimination and violence against women
- Challenges patriarchal norms and expectations that limit women's autonomy and self-determination
Gender Equality as a Central Tenet
- asserts the equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women and men, girls and boys
- Equality does not mean that women and men will become the same but that women's and men's rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on whether they are born male or female
- Implies that the interests, needs and priorities of both women and men are taken into consideration, recognizing the diversity of different groups of women and men (gender identity, sexual orientation, race, class, disability, etc.)
Patriarchy as a System of Oppression
- refers to a social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property
- In a patriarchal system, the male is the primary authority figure central to social organization, political leadership, ownership of property, and inheritance
- Feminism challenges patriarchal norms, institutions, and practices that perpetuate gender inequality and women's subordination
- Patriarchal attitudes can be exhibited by women as well as men, as it is a deeply entrenched societal construct
Waves of Feminism
First Wave Feminism (19th and early 20th centuries)
- Focused primarily on women's suffrage and legal rights
- Key issues included voting rights, property rights, and access to education
- Notable figures include , , and in the United States; in the United Kingdom
- Culminated in the passage of the 19th Amendment in the United States (1920) granting women the right to vote
Second Wave Feminism (1960s-1980s)
- Broadened the debate to include sexuality, family, the workplace, reproductive rights, de facto inequalities, and official legal inequalities
- Influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and anti-war movements of the 1960s
- Key issues included equal pay, sexual harassment, domestic violence, and reproductive choice
- Gave rise to feminist theory and women's studies as academic disciplines
- Notable figures include , , and
Third Wave Feminism (1990s-2010s)
- Sought to redefine what it meant to be a feminist, embracing individuality and diversity
- Challenged the notion of "universal womanhood" and essentialist definitions of femininity
- Incorporated elements of queer theory, anti-racism, postmodernism, and intersectionality
- Utilized the internet and popular culture as tools for activism and expression
- Key figures include , , and the Riot Grrrl movement
Fourth Wave Feminism (2010s-present)
- Characterized by its focus on technology, intersectionality, and global perspectives
- Heavily influenced by the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and assault
- Utilizes social media platforms for organizing, activism, and spreading awareness
- Addresses issues such as campus sexual assault, transgender rights, and the gender pay gap
- Places emphasis on inclusive, intersectional approaches that acknowledge the experiences of marginalized groups
Feminist Concepts
Intersectionality as a Framework for Understanding Oppression
- Intersectionality examines how various forms of social stratification, such as class, race, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, disability and gender, do not exist separately from each other but are interwoven together
- Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw to describe the ways in which the experience of being a Black woman cannot be understood solely in terms of being Black or solely in terms of being a woman
- Recognizes that individual characteristics "intersect" with one another and overlap, creating unique experiences and challenges
- Emphasizes the importance of considering multiple grounds of identity when considering how the social world is constructed and how individuals navigate it
Women's Rights Movement as a Global Struggle
- The refers to the ongoing global struggle for gender equality and the protection of women's human rights
- Encompasses a wide range of issues, including political participation, economic empowerment, reproductive rights, education, healthcare, and freedom from violence
- Has taken different forms and focused on different priorities in various cultural, historical, and geographical contexts
- International agreements such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) provide a framework for advancing women's rights globally
- Women's rights activists and organizations continue to work at local, national, and international levels to challenge discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promote gender justice
Key Terms to Review (30)
1970s feminist media: 1970s feminist media refers to various forms of media created during the 1970s that aimed to challenge traditional gender roles, promote women's rights, and give voice to feminist perspectives. This era marked a significant shift in how women were represented in film, television, literature, and journalism, as feminists sought to counteract the stereotypes and limitations imposed by mainstream media.
Bell hooks: bell hooks is a prominent cultural critic, feminist theorist, and author whose work focuses on the intersections of race, gender, and class. She emphasizes the importance of understanding how these identities shape experiences and representations in media, particularly television, which plays a crucial role in shaping cultural narratives and societal norms.
Betty Friedan: Betty Friedan was a prominent American feminist, activist, and author best known for her groundbreaking book 'The Feminine Mystique,' published in 1963. This book is often credited with sparking the second wave of feminism in the United States, challenging traditional gender roles and the limited societal expectations placed on women. Her work not only influenced the women's liberation movement but also significantly impacted how women's issues were portrayed in television and media during the 1960s and beyond.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon that premiered in 1997, following the adventures of a young woman named Buffy Summers, who is chosen to battle against vampires and other supernatural foes. This series significantly impacted the representation of women in media by presenting a strong, complex female lead, which connected to larger themes of empowerment, feminism, and the evolving portrayal of women on television.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a prominent American social activist, abolitionist, and leading figure of the early women's rights movement in the United States. She is best known for her role in organizing the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, which marked the beginning of the women's suffrage movement. Her work laid the foundation for future feminist waves and significantly influenced the discourse around women's rights.
Emmeline Pankhurst: Emmeline Pankhurst was a British political activist and a key figure in the women's suffrage movement in the early 20th century. She founded the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), which employed militant tactics to advocate for women's right to vote. Pankhurst's leadership and her radical approach marked a significant shift in the fight for women's rights, aligning with the broader waves of feminism that sought to challenge societal norms and secure equality.
Feminism: Feminism is a social, political, and cultural movement that advocates for the rights and equality of women, challenging systemic inequalities and promoting the idea that women should have the same rights, opportunities, and privileges as men. This movement not only addresses gender disparities but also intersects with issues of race and class, recognizing that various forms of oppression are interconnected.
First wave feminism: First wave feminism refers to the early feminist movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily focusing on legal issues and inequalities, particularly women's suffrage. This movement sought to address women's rights, including the right to vote, access to education, and property rights, laying the groundwork for future feminist movements by highlighting the systemic inequalities faced by women in society.
Fourth wave feminism: Fourth wave feminism is a contemporary movement that emerged in the early 2010s, characterized by its focus on issues such as sexual harassment, body positivity, and intersectionality, primarily through digital activism. This wave leverages social media platforms to raise awareness and organize campaigns, making it distinct in its methods and outreach compared to previous feminist waves.
Gender equality: Gender equality means that individuals of all genders have equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities. It promotes fairness and justice in social, political, and economic contexts, ensuring that everyone can achieve their full potential without discrimination. Gender equality is crucial for challenging traditional gender roles and empowering all genders, which connects deeply to the evolving portrayal of women in the workplace and the historical progress of feminist movements.
Gloria Steinem: Gloria Steinem is a prominent American feminist, journalist, and social-political activist who became a key figure in the women's liberation movement during the late 20th century. Her work has profoundly influenced women’s representation in media and television, advocating for female empowerment and equality, and challenging traditional gender roles.
Intersectionality: Intersectionality is a framework that examines how various social identities, such as race, gender, class, and sexuality, overlap and interact to create unique experiences of oppression or privilege. This concept helps us understand that individuals do not experience social categories in isolation but rather in complex interconnections that shape their realities.
Liberal feminism: Liberal feminism is a branch of feminist theory that emphasizes the importance of individual rights and equal opportunities for women within the existing societal framework. It advocates for legal and political reforms to ensure that women can access the same rights and privileges as men, focusing on achieving equality through gradual change rather than radical transformation. This approach connects with various aspects of media representation, family dynamics, and the influence of digital platforms on feminist discourse.
Male gaze: The male gaze is a concept in feminist theory that describes the way visual arts and literature depict the world from a masculine, heterosexual perspective. It often objectifies women, presenting them as passive subjects to be looked at by male viewers, which reinforces gender power dynamics and reflects societal norms about gender roles and sexuality.
Naomi Wolf: Naomi Wolf is an American author, political consultant, and feminist activist best known for her influential book 'The Beauty Myth' published in 1990. In this work, she argues that societal pressures surrounding beauty standards negatively affect women's empowerment and contribute to their oppression. Wolf's ideas connect deeply with discussions on feminism and its various waves, as she critiques the ways in which women's bodies have been commodified and controlled throughout history.
Objectification: Objectification is the act of treating a person as an object or a commodity rather than as a human being with feelings and agency. This concept often highlights how media representations can reduce individuals, especially women, to mere objects for visual pleasure or consumption, stripping them of their humanity and individuality.
Patriarchy: Patriarchy is a social system in which men hold primary power and dominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property. This structure often leads to systemic inequalities between genders, where women's roles are often relegated to the domestic sphere, impacting cultural narratives and representations in various media forms.
Postfeminism: Postfeminism is a term that refers to an ideology that emerges in the wake of feminist movements, often emphasizing individualism, empowerment, and the idea that gender equality has been achieved. It critiques traditional feminist narratives and suggests that women can now achieve success through personal choice rather than collective political action, which can impact how women's stories are portrayed in media.
Rebecca Walker: Rebecca Walker is a prominent feminist author, activist, and the daughter of writer Alice Walker, known for her contributions to the third wave of feminism. She gained recognition for her influential essay 'Becoming the Third Wave,' which outlined the unique experiences and challenges faced by women of her generation and emphasized intersectionality. Her work highlights the importance of addressing race, class, and gender within feminist discourse, shaping the themes and representation seen in modern feminist movements.
Representation: Representation refers to the way individuals and groups are depicted in media, influencing perceptions of identity, culture, and social norms. It is crucial in shaping audience understanding of gender, race, class, and other social factors, as well as fostering inclusivity or perpetuating stereotypes.
Second wave feminism: Second wave feminism refers to the feminist movement that emerged in the 1960s and continued into the 1980s, focusing on issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and workplace discrimination. This phase of feminism expanded the scope of feminist activism beyond the legal inequalities addressed in the first wave, aiming to challenge cultural norms and social practices that perpetuated women's oppression. It brought significant attention to women's voices in media, especially in relation to representation and the portrayal of women's issues.
Simone de Beauvoir: Simone de Beauvoir was a French existentialist philosopher, writer, and feminist known for her groundbreaking work 'The Second Sex', published in 1949. In this influential text, she explores the construction of women as 'the Other' in a patriarchal society, fundamentally shaping feminist thought and laying the groundwork for later feminist movements and theories.
Sojourner Truth: Sojourner Truth was an African American abolitionist and women's rights activist born in 1797, best known for her speech 'Ain't I a Woman?' delivered in 1851. Her work highlighted the intersections of race and gender, making her a significant figure in both the abolitionist and early feminist movements, and exemplifying the urgent need for equality and justice in a society marked by oppression.
Susan B. Anthony: Susan B. Anthony was a prominent American social reformer and women's rights activist who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement in the United States. She is best known for her tireless advocacy for women's right to vote, helping to lay the groundwork for future generations in the fight for gender equality and the broader feminist movement.
The Handmaid's Tale: The Handmaid's Tale is a dystopian television series based on Margaret Atwood's novel, set in a totalitarian society where women are subjugated and used primarily for reproduction. This narrative explores themes of female oppression, resistance, and the consequences of extreme patriarchal control, reflecting both historical and contemporary issues related to women's rights and representation.
Third wave feminism: Third wave feminism is a movement that emerged in the 1990s as a response to perceived shortcomings of second wave feminism, emphasizing diversity, individuality, and the intersectionality of gender, race, class, and sexuality. This wave is characterized by its inclusive approach and recognition of the complexities of women's experiences across different backgrounds, challenging traditional notions of femininity and advocating for a broader understanding of what it means to be a woman.
Time's Up: Time's Up is a movement initiated in 2018 in response to widespread allegations of sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry, advocating for systemic change and accountability for perpetrators. This movement connects deeply with feminist principles and highlights the need for safe work environments, elevating discussions around gender equality and representation in media and beyond.
Women in film: Women in film refers to the representation, roles, and impact of female characters and filmmakers within the movie industry. This concept explores how women are portrayed on screen, the narratives centered around them, and the contributions they make behind the camera, reflecting broader social attitudes towards gender. Understanding women's representation in film connects to historical patterns and shifts in societal views, showing how these dynamics have evolved alongside feminist movements.
Women's liberation movement: The women's liberation movement is a social and political movement that emerged in the late 1960s and sought to achieve equality for women in various aspects of life, including legal rights, employment, reproductive rights, and societal roles. It arose as a response to the limitations imposed on women by traditional gender roles and aimed to challenge and transform cultural attitudes towards gender. This movement significantly influenced the representation of women in media, including television, highlighting the need for authentic portrayals that reflect women's diverse experiences and struggles.
Women's rights movement: The women's rights movement is a social and political effort aimed at achieving equality for women in various spheres of life, including legal, economic, and social rights. This movement emerged as a response to systemic gender inequalities and has evolved through different waves, each addressing specific issues and advocating for various rights, such as suffrage, reproductive rights, and workplace equality.